USA Swimming News

Friday, August 3, 2018

Impressive Swims Continue on Day Four of Speedo Junior Nationals


Alexei Sancov - 2017 Speedo Junior Nationals


Friday’s action included yet another meet record on night four of the Speedo Junior National Championships at the William Woollett Jr. Aquatic Complex in Irvine, Calif.

13-year-old Erin Gemmell of Nation’s Capital Swim Club held off the women’s 200m free field to claim the title in 2:00.74, making her the second-fastest age 13 performer in U.S. history. Pleasanton Seahawks’ Miranda Heckman (2:00.77) and Clovis’ Claire Tuggle (2:00.80) touched in just behind Gemmell. The fastest swim of the night came from Samantha Pearson of Brea Aquatics, who won the B-Final in 2:00.63.

The Terrapins’ Alexei Sancov claimed top honors in the men’s 200m free with a time of 1:47.75. Sancov’s time eclipsed Caeleb Dressel’s meet record of 1:48.64 set in 2013. Julian Hill of Gator Swim Club was next with a 1:49.29 and Michigan Lakeshore Aquatics’ Skyler Cook-Weeks rounded out the top three with a time of 1:50.95.

Anna Keating of Machine Aquatics maintained control throughout a tight women’s 200m breast to win in 2:28.44. Touching a second later was Isabelle Odgers (2:29.44) from the hometown club of Irvine Novaquatics, while Triton Swimming’s Claire Donan claimed third in 2:30.67.

Team Rebel Aquatics’ AJ Pouch held on to win the men’s 200m breast, touching in with a time of 2:12.52. Joshua Matheny from Pittsburgh Elite Aquatics followed with a 2:12.69, making him the third-fastest performer in the 15-16 age group. Mason Manta Rays’ Jake Foster, who will represent Team USA at the Junior Pan Pacific Championships later this month, placed third with a 2:13.76.

Top qualifier Alexandra Crisera of Beach Cities Swimming touched out Lakeside Swim Team’s Annabel Crush by one one-hundredth of a second to claim gold in the women’s 100m back. Crisera posted a 1:00.89, Crush a 1:00.90 and 15-year-old Abby Kapeller of Aquajets turned in a 1:01.68 for third.

17-year-old Will Grant of Heart of Texas Aquatics Team powered his way to the men’s 100m back win with a 55.02, nearly taking down the meet record. Mason Manta Rays’ Carson Foster finished second with a 55.54 and SwimAtlanta’s Keegan Walsh touched in for third place with a time of 56.28.

The Brea Aquatics’ team of Zephy Koh, Marly Lough, Justina Kozan and Samantha Pearson topped the women’s 4x200m free relay field with a time of 8:10.70, just shy of the meet record. Irvine Novaquatics (8:14.77) and Clovis Swim Club (8:15.31) followed.

Irvine Novaquatics will head into the final day of competition leading the team standings with 259 points. SwimMAC Carolina (239 points) and Mason Manta Rays (196 points) follow. The Terrapins Swim Team and Mason Manta Rays are currently tied in the men’s category with 166 points, while North Baltimore Aquatic Club has a slight edge in the women’s standings with 143 points.

Check USASwimming.org for results, recaps and webcast info from Irvine.


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